Derian House
Our Nominated Charity for 2019
Derian House Children's Hospice provides respite and end-of-life care to more than 350 children and young people across the North West. It costs £4 million a year to run the charity, more than 90% of which is reliant upon the generous donations of supporters.
Derian’s ethos is to make sure that every child and young person is able to make the most of the time they have and create happy memories with their family.
Liam Havlin, Sales Manager at System Hygiene, explains, “We wanted to mark Derian House’s passion and commitment by helping make their anniversary year a year to remember. We have supported the charity through events and fundraising and will continue to do so. It’s a real privilege to play a part in helping them continue their fantastic work.”
Stars and Cars 2019 - Bolton Arena, Sunday 14th April
Autobots - Roll Out! 2019 sees the return of "Stars & Cars". This event has been held to raise money for Derian House for the past few years, raising almost £20,000 for our children and families. 2019's event will see Bolton Arena in Horwich host the movie & TV themed spectacular. Come and interact with your favorite movie replica vehicles and characters at this amazing family day out. For more information including tickets - please visit the event's Official Weebsite or Facebook page.
Happy 25th Birthday Derian House!
Families rubbed shoulders with celebrity guests at a star-studded birthday bash to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Derian House.
The silver-themed party saw more than 100 families celebrating a quarter of a century of helping youngsters with life-limiting conditions to make the very most of every moment.
Lynn Grayson, Derian’s Clinical Director, told the assembled guests: “This day is all about recognising the special people at the heart of Derian House – our children, families, staff and volunteers.
“Over the last 25 years we’ve been privileged to care for and support some truly incredible families from all over the North West. Every single person who comes through these doors has left their mark, and we treasure the memories of those who are no longer with us.”
Party guests sang Happy Birthday and cut into a gigantic birthday cake baked by celebrity baker Molly Robbins, from Channel 4’s Extreme Cake Makers.
It was a family affair for the Robbinses – with Ted and Judy Robbins coming along to the bash in their role as proud Derian ambassadors.
Ted, an actor, TV presenter and radio broadcaster, said: “Every time I come to Derian it fills my heart with joy. Seeing what people face up to with courage and dignity is humbling and being here is just life-affirming."
As well as party games, entertainment and ice cream (kindly donated by Mrs Dowsons Farm) the guests had the first chance to meet Derian’s new Patron, Kiki DeVille – best known as judge on TV talent show All Together Now.
Kiki, whose son Dexter died at Derian aged just 4 weeks and 3 days, in 2007, said: “It’s been so lovely to meet so many beautiful families today at the birthday party and I look forward to being a familiar face at Derian House. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about this wonderful place.”
There was also live music by the Ukulele Band, giant bubble blowing by Emma from eBublio, and a chance to meet Elizabeth Grant, who was crowned Miss England 2016 and is Derian’s Fundraising Ambassador. Elizabeth is also part of the Derian family, having been part of the charity’s Sibling Support group when her sister Melanie was cared for at the hospice.
Blackpool Half Marathon Fundraiser
Stephen ‘The Power’ Parker raised an impressive £565 for Derian House when family and friends at System Hygiene sponsored the Operations Supervisor to complete the Blackpool Half Marathon way back in in April.
“I couldn’t wait for the day of the fundraiser.” said Stephen. “I practised all year-round with gym work, cross-training and several long distance runs each week to build up my stamina ahead of the 21km challenge."
And there was a very good reason behind Stephen’s gruelling fitness regime. He explained: “Derian House makes an incrdible difference to local families. Right now, the charity is supporting more than 300 families across the North West with a range of personalised care and support services, both at home or in their hospice, in addition to bereavement support for a further 200 families. Derian House is with those families through the highs and lows of their illness, and beyond.”
“We’re thrilled at Stephen’s efforts,” said Elaine Middleton, Corporate Fundraiser at Derian House. “Our work here at Derian House makes a huge difference to people’s lives, and we need to raise £4m annually to continue doing it. We are very grateful for the generosity of everyone at System Hygiene for sponsoring Stephen, because it will make a real difference to the families we care for.”
The Blackpool Half Marathon took place on 28th April and saw more than 5,000 runners complete the 21 kilometre course around the resort’s coastal front.
System Hygiene Sponsors Mobiloo at Derian Winter Sparkle
System Hygiene was proud to sponsor the services of the Mobiloo mobile toilet and changing facilities for visitors with disabilities at this year’s Derian House Winter Sparkle.
Mobiloo provides all the amenities to support people with a variety of toileting needs including an electric hoist, adult-size changing table, and assistant.
“After sponsoring the service at last year’s Winter Sparkle, we received an overwhelming show of support for this sort of facility provision.” says Liam Havlin, Sales Manager at System Hygiene.
Founded by James Brown, Mobiloo director and Paralympic medallist, the service was founded with a mission to enable disabled people to attend any event or activity - events from which they are often excluded due to lack of adequate facilities.
His Mobiloo enables all disabled children and adults to use the toilet or be changed. Built into what was once a horsebox, Mobiloo can be driven to festivals and events and is the first ‘loo’ of its kind in the world. With an electric hoist and changing table as well as a toilet and washbasin, the Mobiloo means that even those wheelchair users with the most complex requirements can get out and about to enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else.
Liam Havlin adds, “Our staff were humbled and inspired by Zack Kerr – a campaigner with cerebral palsy who is cared for by Derian House – who took his petition to have accessible changing room facilities installed at all UK motorway service stations to Parliament earlier this year. Zack was adamant that disabled people shouldn’t have to sit in discomfort and unhygienic conditions or be lifted out of their wheelchairs and changed on a dirty toilet floor. So when Derian House offered us the opportunity to sponsor the Mobiloo for their Winter Sparkle event, we were delighted to pledge our support to keeping the fundraising day open and welcome to all visitors and their families.”
Derian House Winter Sparkle took place on 4th November at Astley Hall, Chorley.
System Hygiene at Lights of Love
Blackburn Cathedral opened its doors for a very special service of celebration for Derian House Children’s Hospice.
The hospice invited friends, families and members of the community to join them in returning to the cathedral to be part of its Lights of Love event last December, which will be repeated again this year.
The service featured Christmas music, carols and readings, with the choir of St Elisabeth’s Parish Church, Reddish, and special guests from the world of radio and television, including John Gilmore from BBC Radio Lancashire and actor John Ellis Fox.
Susie Poppitt, head of fund-raising for Derian House, said: “We invite everyone to come along to the cathedral to light their own Light of Love candle, join in singing a selection of well known carols, and be part of this really vibrant and traditional start to the Christmas season. It's always an evening with something for everyone"
Lights of Love saw more than 700 people, including staff and friends of System Hygiene, join in this this wonderful event to raise funds in the special atmosphere of Christmas.
System Hygiene Supports Derian Upcycle Fashion Show
Budding fashion designers at the University of Central Lancashire and its partner colleges teamed up with Derian House last year to transform cast-off clothing into desirable fashionwear.
Aiming to raise £10,000 for Derian House, the ‘upcycled’ garments were displayed at a special fashion show hosted by Barton Grange Hotel on 16 November, 2017.
Susie Poppitt, Head of Fundraising for Derian House, said: “We were looking for a way of showing how with a bit of imagination and time some of the items that we receive from public collection bags can be transformed into stylish ready to wear pieces. The idea of a fashion show was suggested to us by the former Miss England, Elizabeth Grant, who also happens to be one of our Derian Ambassadors, so that’s when we contacted the University to see if they would work with us.
“We think clothing can be timeless and wanted to show how garments can be refashioned into something completely different. Some of the items from the fashion show were available to take home by lucky fashionistas either as prizes or purchases on the night and ohers were displayed in our shops for customers to see the unlimited possibilities that upcycling presents.”
System Hygiene staff and families were on-hand at the show supporting the fashionable effort and handing out goody bags.
How Can You Help?
Absolutely everyone can help! Whether it's through volunteering, fundraising, legacies or corporate partnerships, there are ways in which we can all make a real difference - and it's easier than you think!
To find out more, please visit
https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/get-involved/
Previous Fundraising Events with Derian House
Lights of Love (Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, 7th Dec, 2018)
Blackburn Cathedral with Derian House opens its doors for a service of celebration featuring Christmas music, carols and readings, with the choir of St Elisabeth’s Parish Church and special guests from the world of radio and television
https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/derian-events/lights-of-love/
Zip Lining - Zip World Velocity (Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda. Wales, Jan-31 Dec, 2019)
Prepare for a truly unique and exhilarating experience; the fastest zip line in the world. Soar over Penrhyn Quarry where you could travel at speeds of over 100mph while you take in the breathtaking views and feel the freedom of flight. Various dates.
https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/derian-events/zip-lining-zip-world-velocity-2/
Run Wigan Festival (Wigan, Lancashire, 17th March, 2019)
With a new selection of distances available for 2019 the Run Wigan Festival is certainly one for all Lancashire runners calendar! This year they have on offer a new "Wigan 10 Miler" to go with the Half-Marathon, 5k and Family Mile. With something for runners of most distances it's not to be missed.
https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/derian-events/run-wigan-festival/
Stars and Cars (Bolton Arena, Lancashire, 14th April 2019)
2019 see's the return of "Stars & Cars". This event has been held to raise money for Derian House for the past few years, raising almost £20,000 for our children and families. 2019's event will see Bolton Arena in Horwich host the movie & tv themed spectacular. Come and interact with your favorite movie replica vehicles and characters at this amazing family day out!
https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/derian-events/stars-cars-2019/
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